Mick McCarthy has admitted there is little he can do to bring Bartosz Bialkowski’s contract talks to a resolution, while Luke Chambers is surprised the goalkeeper’s previously agreed deal has not been signed.
Manager McCarthy revealed in January that his goalkeeper, who was the subject of interest from Crystal Palace in January, had agreed a new two-year deal which would have kept him at Portman Road until 2020.
That deal remains unsigned, although Poland call-up has regularly insisted he wants to stay and that a few minor issues needed to be ironed out before he put pen to paper.
Speaking this lunchtime, Chambers admitted his surprise that the deal has not been tied up as he congratulated his team-mate on his international inclusion.
“He still hasn’t signed that contract though! We’ll have to wait and see what happens there,” the Blues skipper said when asked about the Poland call-up.
“Bart doesn’t say much. I’m just delighted that he’s got that recognition that he thoroughly deserves. All the boys are giving him a bit of a ribbing about it.
“He’s a God down here, he’s an absolute hero to everyone and he’s earnt that mantle. We’re delighted for him.
“Of course (we want him to sign that contract. I’m here next season. Why would you not get that done?”
Blues boss McCarthy, though, admits he is powerless to speed up the process.
“There is not a lot I can do about that,” McCarthy said.
“He knows my feelings, that I want him to stay, and he’s the master of his own destiny.
“He’s here for another year whatever happens because he has an option for another season. Getting in the international squad will help him and maybe not the club’s negotiations, I don’t know.”
Speaking in February, Bialkowski said: “There are still a couple of things to sort and hopefully we’re going to sort those soon.
“I’ve still got the (12 month extension) option for next year anyway, but – as I say – there are still a couple of things to be sorted.
“As I’ve said so many times before, I love this place, I love the club and I’m really happy here.
“There are still a couple of things that need to be sorted, but two parties want to sign that contract.”
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